Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure Policy.

XPinterestFacebookYummlyFlipboard

Jump To Recipe

Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe is a true pub favourite.

Popular bar styled food made at home with this easy no canning method. All you need is a nice big jar, hard-boiled eggs, and a brine to make the best-pickled eggs ever.

Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (1)Pin

Who would have thought a hard-boiled egg cured in vinegar or pickling brine would create such a great snack and appetizer?Egg pickles!

Since I was a kid, my mom made these all the time. In fact, she was a true “canner”. All kinds of pickles, fruits, jams, canned tomatoes, sauces and of course sauerkraut, lined the walls of the cold cellar.

NEW WEEKLY RECIPES DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

Never Miss A Recipe, Sign Up Today!

RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this old fashioned pickled egg recipe is at the bottom of this post.

I am more of a quick pickle person. This recipe is a no canning method, just like my zucchini pickles andpickled onions recipe! According to my husband, she made the best pickled eggs, until he tried them done my way.

If you love pickles without all the work, check out this roundup 30 Easy Refrigerator Pickles.

I still remember that room in the basem*nt of my parent’s house. It was dark and only had a small light bulb that did not provide much light at all. The door was hard to open, and the cement floor was uneven. Inside the wooden shelves were lined with various sizes of glass jars.

She also made homemade sauerkraut, which we called kapusta. It is so delicious in the traditional Ukrainian Kobasa Kapusta recipe. Often seen on the holiday dinner tables.

Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2)Pin

Those days of traditional canning does not happen in my house.

Simple Pickling Ingredients

Like with ALL quick pickles, ingredients are easy to find.

Mom would make these for every stag or bachelor party that was hosted by the family. Seems the guys loved eating these, especially when they drank beer.

I guess that is why they are a pub favourite, especially in the UK. They are found in fish and chip shops too.

I thought they were Ukrainian pickled eggs. Who knew they would be SO DELICIOUS!

Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (3)Pin

Of course, my husband happens to be one of those people who loved my mom’s recipe. He would always be so happy when mom made them. In fact, she would make a jar just for him.

Now my grandkids can say grandma’s pickled eggs are the BEST! Just like the kind you can find in the bar.

How To Make Easy Pickled Eggs

This is a super easy no canning method.

  1. Sterilize a clean large glass jar. I add boiling water to it and let it sit for 5 minutes. Pour the water out and you are good to go.
  2. Have your hard-boiled eggs cooked and peeled (the hardest part is peeling those eggs).
  3. Place them in the jar.
  4. Boil the brine ingredients in a small pot.
  5. Pour over the eggs.
  6. Put on the lid.
  7. Let cool slightly, then place in the fridge.
  8. Let sit until seasoned (at least 3 days). Ok…this is the second hardest part.
Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (4)Pin

After looking at my mom’s recipe, I just could not see how this would be tasty. Vinegar, salt, and mustard powder? Really? What happened to balance? Isn’t there supposed to be water, sugar, and seasoning?

The typical British recipe uses vinegar, salt and sugar. Mine is a no sugar recipe.

I knew I needed something different. I wanted my recipe to be infused with more flavour.

Egg Pickle Variations

  • Brines can be all vinegar (usually white vinegar or malt vinegar)
  • You can use beet juice or pickle juice in the brine
  • Some recipes include salt and vinegar
  • Some use only one or the other
  • Additional seasonings such as dill, onion, jalapeno (for a kick of heat) can be added
  • You can also use a pickling spice blend
Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (5)Pin

Ok now for the test. I let hubby do the honours. Well to my surprise, he LOVED them. In fact even better than moms!!

This DIY easy pickling recipe is a must-try. You can make them YOUR way. Spicy, flavoured, coloured. Skip the eggs in a jar from Costco. These are better than store-bought hands down.

Recipe Tips

  • If you want the pickling brine to be clear (like the ones you see in the store) do not use the pickling spice (cloves turn the brine brown).
  • Be sure to let the eggs sit for AT LEAST 3 days in the fridge before eating.
  • You can experiment with the brine ingredients, creating the brine you prefer.
  • Be sure to serve at room temperature.
  • Ways to serve pickled eggs include: snacks, party appetizers (especially game night) and sandwich fillings.
  • The longer the eggs stay in the brine, the stronger the taste.
  • Prolonged time in the brine tends to create a rubbery texture.

How Long Do Pickled Eggs Last?

I would say safely 3-4 months. Since this is a quick pickle method, the shelf life is not as long as the traditional canned method, or the ones purchased in the grocery stores.

Do You Need To Keep Them Refrigerated?

Yes for food safety you will want to keep them in the fridge.

Do You Have To Peel The Eggs?

The hard-boiled eggs are peeled before they are put into the pickling brine. Unpeeled eggs will not work in this recipe.

Can You Use Pickle Juice?

People have used pickle juice to make pickled eggs. This recipe uses a seasoned brine. If you use dill pickle juice, the eggs will have a dill pickle taste.Pickled eggs with beet juice will make them pink.

Still Looking For Some Great Egg Recipes?

Here are some of our favourites:

Be sure toCLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTONlocated in theTOP MENU.

Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (6)Pin

Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (7)

Easy Old Fashioned Pickled Eggs

Eggs pickled in a brine, no sugar and no canning. Just like in thehe pub.

4.93 from 179 votes

Pin Recipe Print Rate Save

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: British

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 3 days days

Total Time: 3 days days 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 64kcal

Author:

Ingredients

  • 12 large eggs (hard boiled & peeled)
  • 4 cups white vinegar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons course sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon pickling spice

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Sterilize a large mouth jar.

  • Hard boil and peel the eggs.

To make the Brine:

  • In a pot combine the vinegar, water, salt and pickling spice.

  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

To Pickle:

  • Place peeled eggs into the clean jar.

  • Pour brine over eggs.

  • Seal jar. Leave on kitchen counter for about 1 hour, then place in fridge.

  • Let eggs sit in brine for at least 3 days before eating.

  • ENJOY!!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Notes

***Always keep the pickled eggs refrigerated until ready to eat*** These will keep for several months.

You can take them out of the brine and bring them to room temperature before eating if you wish.

You can make less brine if you wish. I wanted to make sure I had the eggs completely submerged in the liquid.

Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy

Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.
Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2024)

FAQs

How long should eggs be pickled before eating? ›

If small eggs are used, 1 to 2 weeks are usually allowed for seasoning to occur. Medium or large eggs may require 2 to 4 weeks to become well seasoned. Use the eggs within 3 to 4 months for best quality. Each of these recipes uses 12 peeled, hard-cooked eggs.

How do you make pickled eggs not rubbery? ›

How do you avoid pickled eggs with a rubbery texture? The vinegar in the pickling liquid will toughen the egg's texture, making pickled eggs more rubbery over time. To avoid rubbery eggs, plan to eat the pickles within two weeks.

Should I poke holes in my pickled eggs? ›

Once opened, any canned or pickled food should be refrigerated. Pricking, poking holes, or otherwise handling whole eggs in a manner that might allow spores or bacteria into the yolk should be avoided.

How long do pickled eggs last in the refrigerator? ›

In general, all pickled eggs can last up to four months in the refrigerator before experiencing decreased quality.

Can you pickle eggs by just putting them in pickle juice? ›

Add the boiled eggs directly to the jar of pickle juice or put eggs and juice in a clean mason jar. Refrigerate for at least 3 days before eating. The longer the eggs are in the juice, the more pickled and flavorful they'll become. Eggs will last 3 months in the fridge.

How many pickled eggs can you eat a day? ›

How many pickled eggs should (can) I eat a day? So, we did some more digging, and found that eating one egg a day wasn't going to kill you; in fact, it may actually REDUCE heart disease. Other studies have shown no ill effects on people who have consumed up to 12 eggs a week!

How do you prevent botulism in pickled eggs? ›

The CDC further cautions that to reduce the risk for botulism when pickling, food items should be washed and cooked adequately, and utensils, containers, and other surfaces in contact with food, including cutting boards and hands, should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Is it okay to make pickled eggs in a plastic jar? ›

If you choose to use plastic containers, make sure that the containers are food grade and have not been used for non-food items. The safest option for pickles is glass jars. At Container & Packaging Supply, we have many glass jars that will work perfectly for all of your pickling endeavors.

Why do my pickled eggs get hard? ›

There are a few reasons why the texture of your pickled eggs may be off. One problem may be you started with overcooked hard-boiled eggs. Another issue may be with the brining liquid itself. Leaving the eggs in a pickling liquid that's too strong will change their texture over time.

Do you leave the shell on when pickling eggs? ›

Making Brine
  1. Cook. Hard-boil the eggs. Save soft-boiling for breakfasts.
  2. Peel. Only pickle eggs that peeled cleanly, because exposed yolks can dissolve in the brine. ...
  3. Pickle. Keep the acid high in the brine. ...
  4. Store. Immediately refrigerate the pickled eggs, and keep them in the fridge until serving.
Aug 19, 2021

Are pickled eggs healthy? ›

Pickled Eggs Are a Good Energy Source. In addition to the fact that pickled eggs taste good, they're also not bad for your health. For one thing, pickled eggs are rich in protein. As such, they can give you a potent energy boost that will keep you going all day!

What are the brown spots on pickled eggs? ›

Natural compounds in some foods, particularly acids, corrode metal and make a dark deposit. The deposit is harmless and does not mean the food is unsafe to eat, e.g. pickled asparagus or pickled eggs. What makes pickles go soft? The ratio of salt/ vinegar brine is not correct ratio.

How many pickled eggs fit in a quart jar? ›

As a general rule, 10 eggs fit into a quart mason jar*. Usually, it is desirable to get your jar as close to full as possible, so it may be necessary to vary batch size or jar size to keep the jars full.

Can you eat unrefrigerated pickled eggs? ›

Remember there are no research supported home canning processes for pickled eggs. The recipes provided here are all meant to be stored in the refrigerator. Pickled eggs should never be stored at room temperature, except during serving and they should not be at room temperature for more than two hours.

How can you tell if pickled eggs are good? ›

Shelf Life: They commonly last for 3 to 4 months in the refrigerator when stored correctly. Signs of Spoilage: Be aware of any off odors or discoloration; these are indicators that pickled eggs may no longer be safe to consume.

How do you pickle eggs for long term storage? ›

Place eggs in cold water, remove shells and pack into sterilized jars. In a pot, combine vinegar, sugar and spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and boil gently 5 minutes. Pour hot liquid over hard-cooked eggs and cover jars with clean two piece metal SNAP Lid closures® or storage lids.

Can you pickle raw eggs? ›

Preserving Eggs Safely

If so, are you looking for ways to preserve and utilize your fresh eggs? There are no safe approved canning methods for eggs. Two approved methods for preserving eggs are: pickling, if kept at 40 degrees or lower and freezing raw.

Why do people eat pickled eggs while drinking? ›

It is believed that the an amino acid called cysteine present in the eggs, aids the functioning of the liver and works well to prevent excessive hangovers. This is followed by the simple logic that when you're munching on something while taking a drink, it helps to mellow down the effect of the booze.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6726

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.